Crochet Guild of America: Tour of Ireland and Scotland Day 8: April 5, 2003 Clones, Sheelin Antique Lace Museum report by CGOA member Barbara Pretzsch

Class was at 10:00 the next morning.  From Maire’s book we started on the Wild Rose. We learned how to do the Clones knot, which is so famous for dotting their lace.  I was able to finish a Wild Irish Rose with a beautiful aqua thread that was donated by Tosca and CGOA.  There were many different colors of thread in the package and I’m sure I will get it used for some more roses.

Back to our classes we continued working, some of us out on the picnic tables in the beautiful warm sun.   I managed to finish a harp and a line of practice Clones knots. 

Tosca Mark working on her Wild Irish Rose

Sheelin Antique Lace Museum

At 5:30 we left for the Sheelin Antique Lace Museum and dinner there.  It is in Northern Ireland where the roads are smoother.  We passed the River Shannon, which is the longest river in Ireland.  It flows to Shannon on the West Coast.  It took nearly 1 and one-half hours to make our way into Bellanaleck, County Fermenagh, (Fur mah’ nah) NI.  This is the location of the Museum.  The work on display was exquisite.  In addition to the ubiquitous gift shop there were 2 large rooms with many beautiful old pieces of lace.  The 16 of us made it quite crowded.

Dinner was served rather late for our poor starved tummies!  It was probably near 8:00 when we finally ate. 10:00 came around fast…well maybe not very as we were all getting tired and ready to find a bed and it was still over an hour to “home”.   Over the River Erne in Enniskillen past a Safeway!  and through one of the old customs gates.

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©2004 Crochet Guild of America. Article and Photographs: Barbara Pretzsch Webweaver: Pam Oddi

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